Real Madrid boss Ancelotti will not sell Arsenal target

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed the suggestion that playmaker Asier Illarramendi could be forced to leave the Bernabeu this month in search of regular first team football, report the Metro, potentially squashing speculation linking the former Real Sociedad star with a move to Arsenal.

Real have secured the signing of young Brazilian Lucas Silva from Brasileiro outfit Cruzeiro, but with Silva also playing in a deep-lying central midfield position, it has left Illarramendi’s position at the club marginalised, with the Spaniard already having to battle the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric for a place in the team.

The deal for Silva has led to speculation that Illarramendi would be allowed to leave the club this month in search of a new challenge, with both Arsenal and La Liga side Athletic Bilbao believed to be interested in his services, but these comments from Ancelotti would indicate that Illarramendi will be staying put:

“He is a player of Real Madrid and though it’s true he hasn’t played much, we still have confidence in him. He’s important in the locker room.”